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New schools join the Ark network

Ark is pleased to welcome four schools to the network this September, bringing the total number of schools in the network to 34.

In Birmingham:

Ark Boulton Academy, led by Principal Herminder Channa, is a six-form entry senior school in Sparkhill and will open to students on 14th September. Chosen by the students, the school is named after Matthew Boulton, a prominent Birmingham manufacturer, reflecting the industrial and entrepreneurial spirit of the city. Over the summer, the school building has undergone a number or renovations including repairs to the roof, the creation of a new student entrance, re-carpeting, and full redecoration. This is just the start of a three year programme of works that will transform the buildings and learning environment.

Ark Chamberlain Primary Academy, led by Principal Wendy Baxter, is a five-form entry junior school in Small Heath and opened to students on the 8th September. The school was named after Joseph Chamberlain, another prominent Birmingham figure who was Lord Mayor of Birmingham, MP for Birmingham, and the founder and first Chancellor of the University of Birmingham.

These two schools bring the number of Ark academies in the city to six. They join Birmingham’s Ark St Alban’s, Ark Kings, Ark Tindal Primary and Ark Rose Primary academies – all of which have seen dramatic increases in results and attainment since joining the Ark network. GCSE results at Ark Kings and Ark St Alban’s have more than doubled with St Alban’s now in the top 1% of schools in the country for pupil progress.

Ark has also established two new primary schools in London.

Ark Byron Primary Academyin Acton – a new two form primary school, will initially be based at the recently rebuilt Ark Priory Primary Academy in Ealing. Fiona Kaplan has been appointed as the first principal of Ark Byron. Ms Kaplan brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm, having previously been Assistant Headteacher and Early Years Leader at nearby Wendell Park Primary School. She will work closely with Executive Principal, Jacqueline Steele from Ark Priory to create a brand-new school. Ark Priory, Byron’s sister school is rated outstanding by Ofsted. Plans are underway for Ark Byron’s brand new building, opening in Acton Park, in September 2016.

Ark Burlington Danes Primary Academy– a new two form entry primary, creating an all-through school at Burlington Danes in White City. Pupils will benefit from the outstanding expertise of the school leaders at Burlington Danes which has been rated outstanding by Ofsted. The new school will benefit from being located beside the secondary academy - sharing some of its facilities - but will have its own separate building and outdoor space so that it will still have the intimacy and nurture of primary school, with a successful “big sister” school alongside it.

Ark also recently opened its first school outside of the UK, Ark Lajpat Nagar III, a primary school in Delhi, India.